Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The Oatmeal Controversy

This morning I showered and dressed for work, feeling great, looking great in the new clothes I bought last weekend. Ate a corn muffin for breakfast, rode the train into the city, got to the office and was so happy to be feeling so, so good. I always eat something small before work and then have another small breakfast once I get to work. I've always been the type of person that needs to eat right after waking up and then every few hours throughout the day, otherwise I end up weak and nauseous. When I got to work I made some oatmeal... and it was all downhill from there. Let me tell you why. If you remember, not long ago I was wondering if there was any gluten-free instant oatmeal out there because I have trouble cooking the regular kind. I did some research and came across the website for McCann's Irish Oatmeal. It gave the same story about oats, didn't guarantee anything but for some reason I thought this might be more tolerable than Quaker Oats. Now let me back it up here, I've been eating instant oatmeal for a long time and to be honest, it's always caused somewhat of an adverse reaction in my stomach. But I get sick of Rice Chex or eggs and I love the taste of instant oatmeal. So I risked it. Now I have been otherwise totally gluten free every single day for a full week. (I know, shame on me, I've been so bad lately) I've been feeling so good as a result of that, but after I ate that oatmeal I instantly (ha..pardon the pun) had to visit the ladies' and my back cramped up like someone just took a taser to it.

I did some research and found out that McCann's Instant Oats had been tested and showed more than 200ppm of gluten. Not good at all. I am really sad, it tastes so good! I love oatmeal for breakfast. When will someone come up with gluten-free instant oatmeal?!?!?! Not to mention the box wasn't cheap and I still have almost a full one left.

The good news is, other than that I've been really sticking to it and I feel better than I have in a long time. Well, I did this morning. Right now my back is killing me. But that's ok, it'll be better soon and now I know what it was the caused the problem!

10 comments:

Sally
said...

So here's the thing about oats...I was eating quite a bit of Bob's GF oatmeal for awhile and I visited my nutrionist and handed her my food diary and started describing all of the problems (felt like I had just eaten a loaf of bread every day and was awful-feeling). She looked at it and immediately said, "oh, lots of oatmeal" and I nodded, pointing out that it was GLUTEN FREE oatmeal. She says, "I would definitely cut out the oatmeal. I would bet you're not able to tolerate it and no one has yet deemed it safe for sensitive celiacs like yourself. I cut it out. Guess what, I feel way better now. Hate to be a buzzkill, but for such an easy fix, it's totally worth it. Try some buckwheat groats (kasha) and add the same things you'd add to oatmeal.

You might not be able to tolerate them, but you may be able to tolerate them in small amounts every few days (not daily, I heard that that can be bad). Anyways, I get Lara's Rolled Oats from Cream Hill Estates. They're certified GF, and they're really nice once in awhile. They do take 8 or so minutes to cook in the microwave, but here and there, it's a nice hot cereal.

Jenny I was frowning the entire time I read this post! I too love oats. I mean I LOVE steel cut oats. I miss them so much. Nothing can take their place....nothing!!I've tried every other hot cereal known to man and nothing compares. Ugh this is a bummer of a comment, BUT nothing tastes good enough to live with feeling bad!!

I second Lauren's post about Cream Hill Estates. In moderation those Oats will not make you feel bad at all. My wife is the family Celiac and after a very emontional first attempt (fear of poison), she now eats that oatmeal on weekends.

I just read your posting on looking for a gluten-free instant oatmeal and guess what? There is a gluten-free instant oatmeal on the market made from certified gluten-free oats and it's called Glutenfreeda's Instant Oatmeal. It comes in 3 different flavors and one variety pack - Apple Cinnamon, Maple Raisin and Banana Maple. It even comes in individual serving packets so you could take it to work! They also have a variety pack. Just thought I'd let you know.